Solution for the retail trade: automatically measure customer flows

To reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the Swiss government has ordered the guideline value of one person per 10 square meters of sales area. In practice, the affected companies try to help themselves with control services through their own doormen, ticket distribution systems or mobile barriers. The result is usually unsatisfactory and costly. An innovative traffic light system called CountMe from Richnerstutz is now designed to implement the prescribed access controls effortlessly and cost-effectively and to measure customer flows. In a first phase, this will primarily help the retail trade; in a second step, it can also be used in all public facilities, such as restaurants and museums, but also in train stations, airports and border controls, the manufacturing company informs.

Sensor counts customers automatically

CountMe translates as "count me," looks like a welcome column and resembles a traffic light in the colors red and green. The column is located at the entrance and exit of the supermarket and uses a sensor to register customers entering the store. If the defined number of people in the store is reached, it lights up red. If this is not yet the case, the customers have a green light to enter the store area. Set-up is easy; installation and programming takes just a few minutes via an app. In addition to the CountMe columns, Richnerstutz also produces the matching floor stickers as well as the spit shields required for the checkouts.

Innovative, flexible, creative

The background to how this solution came about is remarkable: "The idea appeared in a dream to our Head of Innovation, Serafino Melloni. We immediately discussed it intensively, developed and programmed it together. Since we have the necessary know-how, technology and material within the company, we tested the prototype after just one week. This normally takes much longer and is impossible for many companies, not only at the moment", explains André Richner, Co-CEO of Richnerstutz AG and emphasizes: "We are also affected by COVID-19 and have announced short-time work for our staff. We are all the more pleased to make our contribution to coping better and to support our customers wherever possible. Richnerstutz does not stand for creativity, innovation and flexibility for nothing."

First retailers at home and abroad measure customer flows

The first CountMe columns have been in use for a week in some Migros cooperatives and are delivering valuable work, according to reports. Although CountMe was initially viewed skeptically, incoming customers recognize, understand and respect the importance of access control.

The benefits of CountMe are obvious: the solution is precise, efficient and saves costs. Swiss retailers have already recognized this. In the meantime, Richnerstutz has also received inquiries from Europe and even overseas. And that's not all: Richnerstutz is already working on the rollout of the next sensor generation. With this new high-precision sensor, the measurement accuracy is to be further expanded. Then it will be possible to realize not only behavioral patterns, but also optimization potential for store operators. CountMe can thus be used more sustainably, effectively and for longer periods - even after the days of Corona, writes the manufacturer.

Source: Richnerstutz